Explosion kills 7 Marines at Nevada military facility

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(CNN) — The blast that killed seven U.S. Marines and injured eight others Monday night during a training exercise at Nevada’s Hawthorne Army Depot was caused by a mortar round that detonated in a tube, according to a military official.

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(Chicago Tribune) Seven Marines were killed and seven people injured during a training exercise at a military ammunition storage facility in western Nevada, military officials said Tuesday.

The explosion occurred Monday at midnight Central time during a Marine training exercise at the Hawthorne Army Depot in western Nevada, said facility manager Russ Collier.

Victims were airlifted to Renown Regional Medical Center with injuries that included penetration trauma, fractures and vascular injuries, said Stacy Kendall, a spokeswoman for the medical center.

“We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Marines involved in this tragic incident. We remain focused on ensuring that they are supported through this difficult time,” said the force’s commander, Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox. “We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice.”

The identities of those killed were not released pending notification of their families and a 24-hour waiting period after that.

Hawthorne Army Depot is a 147,000-acre site used for the storage and destruction of demilitarized ammunition.